Vigneti a Prua Riviera Ligure Di Ponente Rossese 2024

Vigneti a Prua is a small, family owned & operated, organic wine producer in Liguria, Italy, that uses regenerative farming practices to improve the health of its vineyards and the environment. Prua's vineyards are located on terraced limestone cliffs overlooking the Ligurian Sea. The winery uses organic farming practices including increasing biodiversity, rebuilding soil organic matter, and capturing carbon in the soil.

The estate of Vigneti a Prua is made up of many small plots of land from Albenga to Imperia. The vineyards look like so many boat bows heading out to sea with their rounded terraces, hence the name Vigneti a Prua (Vineyards to the Bow). Their position slightly inland from the sea allows for optimal ripening. The nearby river Neva keeps the temperatures from becoming too cold or too hot. The crests of the mountains behind protect the vineyards from northern winds creating an ideal microclimate.

Rossese is an ancient grape thought to have been brought by the ancient Greeks and cultivated by the Etruscans on the west coast of Italy. A renowned red for pairing with seafood, especially tuna, or with cheese & charcuterie, risotto, roasted white meats and vegetables.

Prua Rossese comes from several small vineyard sites where the terrain is a reddish, aluminum-rich, calcareous clay which gives a special minerality and richness to the wine. The vineyards are between 150-300 meters above sea level. The vines are between 20 and 50 years old. The grapes are picked by hand at the beginning of October. 

Owner/winemaker Filippo Ruffino takes care of his vines by hand and in all seasons. He makes this ruby red Rossese with a rich bouquet of cherries, cassis, violets and roses. Surprisingly powerful yet utterly delicate and refined, it has a beautiful balance between ripe fruit, dried herbs, botanicals and tannins.